arXiv subjects

P. R. Hemmer

Publications and source records attributed to P. R. Hemmer.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2013

Demonstration of white light cavity effect using stimulated Brillouin scattering in a fiber loop

A passive white light cavity (WLC) based on a fiber resonator can be used for high-bandwidth optical data buffering. Here, we report on experimental studies of such a WLC, employing stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS)for producing the negative dispersion, using two different configurations. In one configuration, an absorption peak produced by a Brillouin pump is used. In the other configuration, two gain peaks produced by two separate Brillouin pumps are employed. In each case, we see evidence of the WLC effect. However, the range of parameters accessible experimentally limits the degree of the WLC effect significantly. We present a theoretical analysis for the optimal combinations of parameters, such as a high Brillouin gain coefficient and a low transmission loss, necessary for achieving the condition of a vanishing group index, as required for creating an ideal WLC.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Magnetic field imaging with NV ensembles

We demonstrate a method of imaging spatially varying magnetic fields using a thin layer of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers at the surface of a diamond chip. Fluorescence emitted by the two-dimensional NV ensemble is detected by a CCD array, from which a vector magnetic field pattern is reconstructed. As a demonstration, AC current is passed through wires placed on the diamond chip surface, and the resulting AC magnetic field patterns are imaged using an echo-based technique with sub-micron resolution over a 140 μm x 140 μm field of view, giving single-pixel sensitivity ~100 nT/\sqrt{Hz}. We discuss ongoing efforts to further improve sensitivity and potential bioimaging applications such as real-time imaging of activity in functional, cultured networks of neurons.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Coherence of Nitrogen-Vacancy Electronic Spin Ensembles in Diamond

We present an experimental and theoretical study of electronic spin decoherence in ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in bulk high-purity diamond at room temperature. Under appropriate conditions, we find ensemble NV spin coherence times (T_2) comparable to that of single NVs, with T_2 > 600 microseconds for a sample with natural abundance of 13C and paramagnetic impurity density ~10^15 cm^(-3). We also observe a sharp decrease of the coherence time with misalignment of the static magnetic field relative to the NV electronic spin axis, consistent with theoretical modeling of NV coupling to a 13C nuclear spin bath. The long coherence times and increased signal-to-noise provided by room-temperature NV ensembles will aid many applications of NV centers in precision magnetometry and quantum information.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Fast-Light in a Photorefractive Crystal for Gravitational Wave Detection

We demonstrate superluminal light propagation using two frequency multiplexed pump beams to produce a gain doublet in a photorefractive crystal of Ce:BaTiO3. The two gain lines are obtained by two-wave mixing between a probe field and two individual pump fields. The angular frequencies of the pumps are symmetrically tuned from the frequency of the probe. The frequency difference between the pumps corresponds to the separation of the two gain lines; as it increases, the crystal gradually converts from normal dispersion without detuning to an anomalously dispersive medium. The time advance is measured as 0.28 sec for a pulse propagating through a medium with a 2Hz gain separation, compared to the same pulse propagating through empty space. We also demonstrate directly anomalous dispersion profile using a modfied experimental configuration. Finally, we discuss how anomalous dispersion produced this way in a faster photorefractive crystal (such as SPS: Sn2P2S6) could be employed to enhance the sensitivity-bandwidth product of a LIGO type gravitational wave detector augmented by a White Light Cavity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

High-sensitivity diamond magnetometer with nanoscale resolution

We present a novel approach to the detection of weak magnetic fields that takes advantage of recently developed techniques for the coherent control of solid-state electron spin quantum bits. Specifically, we investigate a magnetic sensor based on Nitrogen-Vacancy centers in room-temperature diamond. We discuss two important applications of this technique: a nanoscale magnetometer that could potentially detect precession of single nuclear spins and an optical magnetic field imager combining spatial resolution ranging from micrometers to millimeters with a sensitivity approaching few femtotesla/Hz$^{1/2}$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Coherence properties of photons emitted by single defect centers in diamond

Photon interference among distant quantum emitters is a promising method to generate large scale quantum networks. Interference is best achieved when photons show long coherence times. For the nitrogen-vacancy defect center in diamond we measure the coherence times of photons via optically induced Rabi oscillations. Experiments reveal a close to Fourier transform (i.e. lifetime) limited width of photons emitted even when averaged over minutes. The projected contrast of two-photon interference (0.8) is high enough to envisage the applications in quantum information processing. We report 12 and 7.8 ns excited state lifetime depending on the spin state of the defect.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Room temperature coherent control of coupled single spins in solid

Coherent coupling between single quantum objects is at the heart of modern quantum physics. When coupling is strong enough to prevail over decoherence, it can be used for the engineering of correlated quantum states. Especially for solid-state systems, control of quantum correlations has attracted widespread attention because of applications in quantum computing. Such coherent coupling has been demonstrated in a variety of systems at low temperature1, 2. Of all quantum systems, spins are potentially the most important, because they offer very long phase memories, sometimes even at room temperature. Although precise control of spins is well established in conventional magnetic resonance3, 4, existing techniques usually do not allow the readout of single spins because of limited sensitivity. In this paper, we explore dipolar magnetic coupling between two single defects in diamond (nitrogen-vacancy and nitrogen) using optical readout of the single nitrogen-vacancy spin states. Long phase memory combined with a defect separation of a few lattice spacings allow us to explore the strong magnetic coupling regime. As the two-defect system was well-isolated from other defects, the long phase memory times of the single spins was not diminished, despite the fact that dipolar interactions are usually seen as undesirable sources of decoherence. A coherent superposition of spin pair quantum states was achieved. The dipolar coupling was used to transfer spin polarisation from a nitrogen-vacancy centre spin to a nitrogen spin, with optical pumping of a nitrogen-vacancy centre leading to efficient initialisation. At the level anticrossing efficient nuclear spin polarisation was achieved. Our results demonstrate an important step towards controlled spin coupling and multi-particle entanglement in the solid state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Quantum Optics with Surface Plasmons

We describe a technique that enables strong, coherent coupling between individual optical emitters and guided plasmon excitations in conducting nano-structures at optical frequencies. We show that under realistic conditions, optical emission can be almost entirely directed into the plasmon modes. As an example, we describe an application of this technique involving efficient generation of single photons on demand, in which the plasmon is efficiently out-coupled to a dielectric waveguide.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Strong coupling of single emitters to surface plasmons

We propose a method that enables strong, coherent coupling between individual optical emitters and electromagnetic excitations in conducting nano-structures. The excitations are optical plasmons that can be localized to sub-wavelength dimensions. Under realistic conditions, the tight confinement causes optical emission to be almost entirely directed into the propagating plasmon modes via a mechanism analogous to cavity quantum electrodynamics. We first illustrate this result for the case of a nanowire, before considering the optimized geometry of a nanotip. We describe an application of this technique involving efficient single-photon generation on demand, in which the plasmons are efficiently out-coupled to a dielectric waveguide. Finally we analyze the effects of increased scattering due to surface roughness on these nano-structures.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Photochromism in single nitrogen-vacancy defect in diamond

Photochromism in single nitrogen-vacancy optical centers in diamond is demonstrated. Time-resolved optical spectroscopy shows that intense irradiation at 514 nm switches the nitrogen-vacancy defects to the negative form. This defect state relaxes back to the neutral form under dark conditions. Temporal anticorrelation of photons emitted by the different charge states of the optical center unambiguously indicates that the nitrogen-vacancy defect accounts for both 575 nm and 638 nm emission bands. Possible mechanism of photochromism involving nitrogen donors is discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2003

Demonstration Of A Continuously Guided Atomic Interferometer Using A Single-Zone Optical Excitation

We demonstrate an atomic interferometer in which the atom passes through a single-zone optical beam, consisting of a pair of bichromatic counter-propagating fields. During the passage, the atomic wave packets in two distinct internal states trace out split trajectories, guided by the optical beams, with the amplitude and spread of each wave-packet varying continuously, producing fringes that can reach a visibility close to unity. We show that the rotation sensitivity of this continuous interferometer (CI) can be comparable to that of the Borde-Chu Interferometer (BCI). The relative simplicity of the CI makes it a potentially better candidate for practical applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Resonantly enhanced nonlinear optics in semiconductor quantum wells: An application to sensitive infrared detection

A novel class of coherent nonlinear optical phenomena, involving induced transparency in quantum wells, is considered in the context of a particular application to sensitive long-wavelength infrared detection. It is shown that the strongest decoherence mechanisms can be suppressed or mitigated, resulting in substantial enhancement of nonlinear optical effects in semiconductor quantum wells.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Observation of Ultraslow Group Velocity of Light in a Solid

We report ultraslow group velocities of light in a solid. Light speeds as slow as 45 m/s were observed, corresponding to a group delay of 66 ms in a 3-mm thick crystal. Reduction of the group velocity is accomplished by using a sharp spectral feature in absorption and dispersion, produced by a Raman excited spin coherence in an optically dense Pr doped Y2SiO5 crystal.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Long Distance, Unconditional Teleportation of Atomic States Via Complete Bell State Measurements

This paper proposes a scheme for creating and storing quantum entanglement over long distances. Optical cavities that store this long-distance entanglement in atoms could then function as nodes of a quantum network, in which quantum information is teleported from cavity to cavity. The teleportation can be carried out unconditionally via measurements of all four Bell states, using a method of sequential elimination.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Raman Excited Spin Coherences in N-V Diamond

Raman excited spin coherences were experimentally observed in N-V diamond color centers via nondegenerate four-wave mixing (NDFWM) and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The maximal absorption suppression was found to be 17%, which corresponds to 70% of what is possible given the random geometric orientation of the N-V center in diamond. In the context of quantum computing in solids, this level of transparency represents the efficient preparation of quantum bits (qubits), as well as ability to perform arbitrary single qubit rotations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Large-Angle, Single-Order, One and Two-Dimensional Atomic Interferometry for Creation of Nanostructures

We have shown via explicit analysis as well as numerical simulation the design of two large angle interferometers employing two-photon pulses. The first one uses the technique of adiabatic following in a dark state to produce a large splitting angle atomic interferometer that is capable of producing one dimensional gratings with spacings as small as 2 nm. Unlike other large angle interferometers, this technique is not sensitive to errors in optical pulse area and decoherence from excited state decay. This may lead to a nearly two orders of magnitude improvement in the sensitivity of devices such as atomic gyroscopes, which are already as good as the best laser gyroscopes. The second interferometer uses the technique of Raman pulses to produce a two-dimensional interferometer, with independent choice of grating spacings in each direction, each being as small as 2 nm. This scheme may enable one to produce uniform arrays of quantum dots with dimensions of only a few nm on each side. In addition, it may be possible to generalize this process to produce arbitrary patterns with the same type of resolution.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Solid State Quantum Computing Using Spectral Holes

A quantum computer that stores information on two-state systems called quantum bits or qubits must be able to address and manipulate individual qubits, to effect coherent interactions between pairs of qubits, and to read out the value of qubits.1,2 Current methods for addressing qubits are divided up into spatial methods, as when a laser beam is focused on an individual qubit3,4,5 or spectral methods, as when a nuclear spin in a molecule is addressed using NMR.6,7 The density of qubits addressable spatially is limited by the wavelength of light, and the number of qubits addressable spectrally is limited by spin linewidths. Here, we propose a method for addressing qubits using a method that combines spatial and spectral selectivity. The result is a design for quantum computation that provides the potential for a density of quantum information storage and processing many orders of magnitude greater than that afforded by ion traps or NMR. Specifically, this method uses an ensemble of spectrally resolved atoms in a spectral holeburning solid. The quantum oupling is provided by strong atom-cavity interaction. Using a thin disc of diamond containing nitrogen-vacancy color centers as an example, we present an explicit model for realizing up to 300 coupled qubits in a single spot. We show how about 100 operations can take place in parallel, yielding close to 40,000 operations before decoherence.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

Coherent Control of Atom-Atom Interactions and Entanglement using Optical Fields

Two-photon optical transitions combined with long-range dipole-dipole interactions can be used for the coherent manipulation of collective metastable states composed of different atoms. We show that it is possible to induce optical resonances accompanied by the generation of entangled superpositions of the atomic states. Resonances of this kind can be used to implement quantum logic gates using optically excited single atoms (impurities) in the condensed phase.

quant-ph↗